Sadly, more than 38,000 people die each year in the US due to vehicle crashes.
Whenever you are driving on the roads, you have an increased risk of being injured or worse. But, no matter how long you have been driving, there’s always room to improve.
By learning some simple tips, you can become a better driver and help keep yourself and other road users safe.
In this article, we’ll share some important defensive driving techniques you need to know. By following these, you can reduce your risk of having an accident and become a confident driver.
Read on for more information.
Always Be Aware Of Your Surroundings
Being alert and aware of your surroundings is key to avoid having an accident. You should always know what’s happening around you and look for any potential hazards.
For example, you may spot an erratic driver and decide to slow down in case they do something unexpectedly. Or, you may notice a cyclist and give them extra room as you go past.
By doing this, you minimize the risk of an accident occurring and keep everyone safe.
So, ensure you use all your mirrors effectively and keep your eyes on the road. Because when you become complacent, that’s when accidents are more likely to happen.
Always Driver Sober
Alcohol and drugs slow down your reaction times and affect your concentration. So, if you attempt to drive a car whilst under the influence, you’re far more likely to have a crash.
Besides, driving whilst drunk or high on drugs is against the law. If the police stop you, you can receive a fine or even go to prison. After it happens, you may also be banned from driving for a significant amount of time.
So, if you’re ever drinking in a bar and think you’re fine to drive home- think again. Stay safe and get a cab instead.
Adapt Your Driving in Poor Weather Conditions
Ultimately you want to avoid driving at all in high winds, heavy rain, snow, or icy conditions. But sometimes, this isn’t possible, and you need to continue on your journey.
So, if you encounter these conditions whilst driving, you need to adapt.
For instance, you should drive slowly in all these weather conditions and leave a greater distance to the vehicle in front. Your braking will be affected, so driving like this will help to keep you safe.
Finally, the best way to learn how to drive in bad weather is to enroll in a defensive driving class. You’ll be taught exactly what to do and how to react to others around you. By the end of the defensive driving course, you’ll be a much safer and more confident driver.
The Ultimate Defensive Driving Tips
We hope our guide on defensive driving has been useful to you.
As you can see, there are many simple things you can do to keep yourself safe. Remember that you always need to be alert and fit to drive before stepping into the vehicle.
Finally, if you’re going on a long journey soon, then check out our blog for some great travel tips.
